Best way to settle a new horse in

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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I can hardly believe it, after a horribly unsettling year of looking, I am about to welcome "the new horse" onto the yard this Friday (the 13th, oh dear!!!).

A friend of mine, who has dealt with not only a lot of horses of her own but also helped other people, swears by getting them straight out for a hack as soon as they come off the wagon - she says that in her experience there's nothing like this to settle a horse quickly, as it basically replicates herd behaviour in that if a herd finds itself in a new environment, its natural instinct will be to explore, to make sure everything is safe and get their bearings, then they can relax.

Any other tips from anyone?? Particularly on how to settle a newbie with the rest of the "herd" who will be in the same field, but initially I will be leccy fencing off a section for the new one, so whilst he will be in the field with the others to all intents and purposes, he won't be able to get at them, and vice versa.

Am just hoping that everything goes OK......

Any tips welcome!
 
I get in new horses a good bit and I think they split into two or three camps.

1.The serious work orientated ones do best given a job to do, and i'd hack away on them. If they aren't one-on-one attentions seeking types and just like having a job then they settle best doing simple relaxed work under a new owner. These ones tend to be the ones that seem very calm and aren't reactive in their new environment.

2. The more unsure, clever ones that look a bit dubious about the change or mare-y, i wouldn't put them under pressure to deal with a new rider and challenges out hacking in a new environment. Some horses need a bit of time to get confident with a rider, so i think it overloads them if they are forced to have to deal with issues immediately. I'd hand walk them first to get time to get to know them

3. The really highly strung or loopey ones. I give them a week off at grass or else loose school them if thats no possible. This lets them burn off their adrenaline and anxiety without putting them or me under pressure. I like just feeding and handling them in the field and you can see when they relax and let the guard down, and then you know they are mentally ready to work with. I get rescues in, so this phase can last a bit longer. The horse lets you know when its comfortable with you and when its open to working with

I don't think the immediate hack suits every horse. It can overload a few types of personalities, and it can cause issues napping etc, that mightn't have occured if given a few days to readjust and get used to new owner. On top of that if horse is dealing with new tack/bits etc, you'd like the horse to have gotten used to them a bit in a safe environment

so depends on horse a bit really!
 
I like to leave them for a day or so before riding. But do agree that getting them in to a routine asap is a good idea.
 
If they are ridden animals then i get on as soon as they come off the box.
Then into stable and left for a while with a net, to observe their surroundings.
If time permits, then will get solo turn out before coming in for the night.

Depending on yard policy of isolation, on day 2, normal routines are established :)
Mine will meet others with a good fence and electric both sides, between them for a good week, before turning out together, if they are going to live together.
Usually i will ride them daily for the 1st week , also boxing up to other places and riding with turnout chums if appropriate.

Well done on finding new fuzzy :)
 
my loan horse arrived on the friday about 4pm, she was put in stable for the night next to her new field buddy, we hacked out together in the morning and put them out together and all was ok.....it took a while for her to eat all of her hay and to stop pacing in the field ...she was home bred and at age 18 it was a real change for her but its now been just over 2 months and she is fine...
 
I leave them for a few days before doing anything with them, they are often still wide eyed and unsettled so I do not like to add to it by riding and it wont kill them to wait a few days.


leave in adjacent field for a while then gradually introduce them

maybe other issues like door banging pawing etc but those can be addressed if they come up
 
Ooh congrats, hope it works out !

I tend to leave them for a day, then gentle hacks in company the first few days, lesson in the school, generally get them into a routine (ideally matching their current routine) and cracking on. Mine have tended to be established riding horses, not youngsters etc.
 
I have always given big bed and net, feed as per last home and then ridden next day usually a hack. Never had a problem even with the ones that have taken a few days they have always been settled if slightly suspicious.
 
Get on it as soon as possible. Usually the same day. Treat it like it's always been here, enforce good manners from the get go and they settle in no problem.

Good luck. It's been a long old search.
 
Very envious - well done. What did you find in the end?
P.s if it arrives in the morning I would get on and go, if the afternoon I would get on the next morning.
 
Im the straight into work camp too. If the weathers good, theyll get a bath first day too! Theres nothing to be gained by delaying handling/work expectations. Get straight to it and theyll be grateful for the clear guidelines and whats expected of them.
 
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